Commentary, sarcasm and snide remarks from a Florida resident of over thirty years. Being a glutton for punishment is a requirement for residency here.
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Monday, April 23, 2007

Numero Uno

How good is Lorena Ochoa? Even on weeks without an LPGA tournament, she still takes a major step forward.

When the newest version of the Rolex Rankings -- the world ranking of women's golf -- were released on Monday morning, they showed that Ochoa had passed Annika Sorenstam, becoming only the second top-ranked player since the list was instituted on Feb. 20 of last year.

"Being in her position is just a dream come true, but at the same time I want to keep being up there," Ochoa told ESPN.com in December. "I want to be No. 1 and not only for a small period of time, not only for one year, but for many more years."

Ochoa, 25, made a move on the charts more than one week after failing to claim her 11th career victory and second this year. A win at the Ginn Open would have meant an instant rise to the top of the rankings, but despite leading on the back nine in the final round, Ochoa succumbed to champion Brittany Lincicome after making two double-bogeys and two bogeys over the final six holes.

After losing by one stroke, Ochoa said of the No. 1 ranking, "I didn't even think about it. I was just worried about the tournament."

It wasn't until after an LPGA bye week that the numbers showed Ochoa to have a greater average point total than Sorenstam. Using the ranking's two-year rolling calendar, Ochoa has earned 642.19 total points in 50 events for an average of 12.84, while Sorenstam has 546.22 points in 43 events for an average of 12.70.

Don't expect Sorenstam to reclaim her previous spot anytime soon. She withdrew from the Ginn with a ruptured and herniated disk in her back. An original report had her missing about four weeks, but there have been rumors that it may have been an optimistic prognosis.

She has since declared her intention to focus on major championship competition.

"I will play less, prepare more and really go for the big competitions," Sorenstam told Swedish broadcaster SVT last week.

Karrie Webb, Morgan Pressel and Cristie Kerr continue to round out the top five.

Congrats to Lorena. I wouldn't place any bets against Annika retaking #1 in the world at some time.

As to Morgan Pressel being one of the top five players in the world- NO. I already said who I consider the top 10 players and Morgan doesn't make it. That doesn't detract from her win at the Kraft Nabisco though.